S. Korea, Japan back in fragile amicability

By Lee Chi-dong
SEOUL, Jan. 21 (Yonhap) -- South Korean and Japanese foreign ministers plan to
hold earlier-than-expected talks next month, officials here said Wednesday, in
yet another clear sign that their often-prickly ties are back on track, skirting
territorial and history disputes.

"The two sides decided to hold the talks in Seoul on Feb. 11," a South Korean
foreign ministry official said.
The meeting between Foreign Minister Yu Myung-hwan and his counterpart Hirofumi
Nakasone is to follow up on the latest summit agreement by their leaders, he
added.
President Lee Myung-bak and Prime Minister Taro Aso agreed in their summit in
Seoul on Jan. 12 to step up joint efforts to tackle the global financial turmoil,
contain North Korea's nuclear program, and cooperate on the reconstruction of
Afghanistan. Lee and Aso also agreed on a meeting between their top diplomats in
South Korea to discuss details.
Japan was quick to propose that the foreign ministers meet around Feb. 11 and
South Korea accepted the offer, according to the official who asked not to be
named as the two sides have yet to announce the schedule for the talks.
Such a rapport is in sharp contrast to a simmering row months ago over Dokdo, a
set of rocky outcroppings lying in the East Sea between the neighboring nations.
Dokdo is effectively controlled by South Korea but also claimed by Japan.
In July, the Japanese education ministry announced a guideline for middle schools
advising instructors to teach students that Dokdo's ownership is disputed. South
Korea maintains that Dokdo's sovereignty is not a matter of contention.
Seoul recalled its ambassador to Tokyo Kwon Chul-hyun for three weeks in protest
and also rejected Tokyo's offer of routine foreign ministerial talks on the
sidelines of the ASEAN Regional Forum held in Singapore in later July. Their
foreign ministers didn't even shake hands at an official gathering there.
The Japanese education ministry is due to unveil a new reference book for history
teachers at high schools within this year.
"Japan has yet to decide whether to include a Dokdo-related description in it,"
another South Korean foreign ministry official said. "We will continue efforts so
that it is not contained."
Tokyo's move over the thorny territorial issue could affect future diplomatic
schedules between the two sides, he admitted.
South Korean and Japanese foreign ministers will have another chance to meet
later this year, joined by their Chinese counterpart. China is to chair the
annual tripartite meeting this year. A date has not been set yet.
Japan's political situation is also a key factor that may affect meeting
schedule, officials here said, citing the possibility that the unpopular Japanese
prime minister will disband the parliament and call a snap election.
lcd@yna.co.kr
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